Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 333: Chapter 333: Construction

If you ask who’s the busiest in the Black Banner Battalion right now, that would be Wang Jian.

This guy can be considered the real power-holder at Shen Hao’s side, presently controlling the crucial "Four Divisions" along with two intelligence channels spawned by the Black Water Plan—these two are currently being integrated.

Meanwhile, the tentacles of the "Four Divisions" are spreading ever wider and deeper as Secret Agents are deployed. The Black Water Plan is also starting to show results in Fengri City’s jurisdiction.

Of course, the quick effectiveness is closely tied to the previous Jingxi Action, which involved striking many official and merchant circles. With many outsiders filling the gaps, the demand for brokerage slaves rises, providing plenty of chances to plant our own people.

To quote Wang Jian’s witty remark: Right now there’s an eye slowly opening in Fengri City, keeping watch on everyone at all times.

Don’t underestimate this slowly opening eye. It can strip your secrets bare, and as it gradually builds up a massive Document Library, sorting and deducing information, it can develop a whole pre-emptive mechanism to effectively predict and respond to a variety of incidents—even intervene ahead of time.

In Shen Hao’s old world, there was a term for this kind of system: artificial big data.

Others don’t know the real power and value of such a Document System once it’s established; Shen Hao knows it well. And in this world, while there’s no technological force, there’s another magical power unique to cultivation. It’s hard to say arrays or magic couldn’t achieve the same effect as computers handling big data. But those are matters for the future.

The urgent task now is to build a solid foundational structure. And if there’s only one core in this structure, that’s obviously unreasonable.

So when Wang Jian brought Zhang Liao to Shen Hao, Shen Hao saw Wang Jian, his subordinate, in a new light.

Wang Jian’s maneuver was quite clever—classic retreat to advance, yielding position and authority to give Shen Hao room for adjustment while retaining initiative. Better to partner with someone proven, and for both Wang Jian and Shen Hao, Zhang Liao was the right choice.

Truly all benefit and no harm.

Within the "Four Divisions," Little Ghost and Ghost Gate handle collection and screening, Judge is mainly analysis and identification, and the newly formed "Impermanence" Division takes care of the final processing.

Wang Jian knows himself well—his strengths lie in nimble thinking and careful planning, perfect for cerebral tasks, but the Impermanence Division, which requires hands-on action, isn’t suited for him. It could hold things back. That’s why someone like Zhang Liao, a clean-cut action type, fits as Commander.

So after Shen Hao’s nod, Wang Jian took Zhang Liao to get familiar mainly with the Impermanence Division.

The Impermanence Division is just starting out, and after consulting Shen Hao, Wang Jian didn’t bring in Zhang Lie and Liu Meng’s people—those groups remain independent, stationed in the brokerage and black market, never involved in the "Four Divisions."

Wang Jian understands this is Shen Hao giving him space and time to grow the Impermanence Division. Since its future function is powerful and decisive, it needs special care in its infancy, else if it grows crooked, no one will be able to fix it.

For Zhang Liao, being new, there were no good accommodations, so, out of familiarity, he squeezed in to Wang Jian’s rented little courtyard—made for easy communication.

"This is all the manpower we’ve got, but the work keeps piling up. Now that you’re in, your first task is to recruit more, no need for high standards yet. For now, it’s just side jobs—form the team first."

At this moment, Wang Jian was crouched by the kitchen door holding a bowl of noodles, with Zhang Liao beside him on a stool, likewise slurping noodles.

Sour soup noodles with chili—more addictive the more they ate. Before, neither of them cared for noodles, now three days without it and they felt all wrong.

"So basically, Impermanence Division’s just lying low and biding its time now, yeah?"

"Yeah, that’s the gist. Don’t rush it—heard Lord Shen hint, soon the higher-ups will initiate a major move; then your resources should improve, and you can use the chance to build a solid crew. Life will get much easier."

Zhang Liao nodded, then said, "Alright, I’ll scout things out, then work out just how to tidy up the setup. Didn’t you say Lord gave us the Combined Attack Skill? If used well, it’ll shine, and with talismans, handling simple situations shouldn’t be a problem."

The two chatted and ate. Once the noodles were gone, they went their separate ways.

Zhang Liao headed to the Impermanence Division’s secret training ground outside the city, to check the results of the "infiltration" training he’d asked for yesterday.

Wang Jian went to Five Rams City to meet with a disguised Zhu Shou, to finalize the mission details.

"Wang Xiaoqi, let me get this straight: you need to make sure your men understand—their identities can NEVER be leaked, even unto death! If it happens, the trouble won’t be minor. Not just me, even Lord Shen can’t escape liability."

Wang Jian smiled and reassured, "Don’t worry, Lord Zhu, all three selected are seasoned and hard-nosed, unafraid to die and willing if necessary. Plus, we’ve equipped them with poison pills; if things go sideways, they’ll end themselves before letting trouble trace back up."

"Good. Here, take these three Waist Tokens. Your men must report tomorrow before 5 p.m. at the Yu City Pier, at Hongli Trading Company’s shop. No names, just show up. They’ll be told the rest on-site."

"Are they leaving tomorrow?"

"No. There’ll be a day of adjustment in Yu City. On the thirteenth, they’ll go downstream, likely arriving Zhuo Huo Pass on the seventeenth or eighteenth. The border army will need to verify, taking another day or two, then it’s southward through the pass."

Wang Jian nodded and pocketed the three tokens Zhu Shou handed over, ready to leave—only Zhu Shou stopped him.

"What’s up? Lord Zhu, got more?"

"I need you to have someone follow my current deputy—I have a bad feeling about him."

"Hmm? Care to elaborate, Lord Zhu?"

"My deputy’s surname is Tian, from a family of old connections. I thought he was smart, so promoted him. But lately, he’s been keeping an eye on me—when I left for here, he pretended he had business, probing my movements."

Wang Jian frowned, careful not to take it lightly—even if it’s just Zhu Shou’s suspicion, it must be checked. Zhu Shou isn’t only a crucial link in the Black Water Plan, but a bona fide Small Banner Officer in the Black Banner Battalion—a trusted insider.

"Rest assured, Lord Zhu. I’ll arrange someone right away to help you check him out. Did you tell Liu Meng yet?"

"Not yet."

"Good, don’t contact Liu Meng or visit any bases for now. Wait for my news. I’ll also arrange for Liu Meng’s side to be notified to be careful."